A Message from Fr. Gregory M. Goethals, SJ ’73

As 2020 fades away and 2021 brings us hope for our future, our country continues facing challenges both from the coronavirus pandemic as well as from the events at the Capitol Building on Wednesday that shook our nation.

We are a community that comes together in moments of joy as well as moments of sadness. You have been there every step of the way with us as we’ve gone online to bring Jesuit Catholic education to your sons, held virtual events to support our school or brought Mass to your homes. Your faith in Loyola and all that we hold dear has been such a great comfort to us all.

Wednesday’s events in Washington, DC deeply resonated with me as I’m sure they did for you. That’s why I write you today. Our Ignatian tradition and beliefs that are so rooted in our Catholic faith ask of us to always have love triumph. Let’s come together as a community, as the Body of Christ with God in our lives. This is the time to proclaim the Gospel: virtue over malice, hope over despair, love over hate and life over death.

Lord, teach me to be generous,
to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to look for any reward,
save that of knowing that I do your holy will.